Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Canada #270: Coastal Zone Canada Conference 2006 in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories.  (CZC’06 in Tuktoyaktuk, NT.)

Outline
CZC is a national association that holds multi-stakeholder conferences every 2 years to discuss integrated coastal and oceans management. The conference is a very prestigious event, which provides an international stage to showcase specific coastal zone regions and issues. To date, the CZCA has held its conferences on the east and west coasts, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The products and outputs of the five conferences to date have made a valuable contribution to the development of Canada's oceans policies and laws. The seventh biennial conference of the Coastal Zone Canada Association (CZC). CZC’06 will be held in Tuktoyaktuk, NT in July of 2006. Approximately 300 multi-stakeholder participants from circumpolar countries will meet to address arctic themes including: traditional knowledge, co-management, industrial development, energy, climate change, sovereignty, science, indigenous knowledge, transportation, subsistence, tourism, fisheries, and conservation. This conference will provide participants with a unique opportunity to visit Canada’s North and discuss ocean and coastal management in the circumpolar Arctic. It has great potential to profile the Arctic Ocean, raise awareness of coastal issues, and to promote expanded integrated management activities in the Western Arctic. Other benefits and linkages include: ? Providing a venue to discuss circumpolar collaboration and the International Polar Year in 2007. ? Strengthening partnerships with Inuvialuit communities and organizations, other government bodies, industry and NGO’s. ? Profiling current W. Arctic integrated management topics such as: energy, co-management, sovereignty, science, conservation and protection, indigenous knowledge, transportation, subsistence lifestyles, tourism, and fisheries. ? Supporting implementation of the Oceans Action Plan and Arctic Marine Strategic Plan.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1 – The current state of the polar environment: Circumpolar scientists and indigenous knowledge experts will come together in Tuk to discuss issues around the current status of the Arctic environment. Topics will include contaminants, climate change, and species health. Theme 2 – Change in the polar regions: Circumpolar scientists and indigenous knowledge experts will use scientific study, oral history and personal observation to describe how Arctic climate and environment has changed over time. Theme 6 – Human societies in polar regions: The resilience, sustainability and contributions of circumpolar societies will be a focus of CZC’06.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
NOAA – Brad Barr, Senior Advisor Arctic Council – Chris Cuddy, INAC/AC Anticipated IISD WWF CIDA

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Conference will be held in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, which is located within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region in the Western Arctic.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
? Two Oil and Gas Camps, located in Tuktoyaktuk and owned and operated by E. Gruben’s Transport will be used to house participants (approx. 300). ? Two 737 Planes will be chartered for participants travel from Edmonton to Tuktoyaktuk. ? All weather tent (capacity 400 people) will be constructed on site in Tuktoyaktuk, NT to accommodate meetings. * All resources could be shared provided adequate lead time.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Oil and gas camps will be provided by local commercial operator E. Gruben’s Transport and funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Coastal Canada Association, other gov’t departments, etc. Planes will be chartered from Canadian North airlines Tent will be rented from Alberta commercial operator.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
CZC’06 has been endorsed nationally by the Coastal Zone Canada Association, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Transport Canada and other government departments. CZC’06 has been endorsed internationally by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

CZC’06 is being viewed by many as an important kick-off / springboard for the International Polar Year in 2007. It will be an excellent venue to discuss circumpolar collaboration, climate change, science and Arctic culture, all important issues identified by the IPY committee. This potential collaboration has already been discussed at the last CZC conference in St. John's, between Peter Ricketts (CZC President) and Bob Lambe and Brad Barr (NOAA Senior Advisor) and his colleagues. Also, Renee Sauve (DFO Oceans Advisor) raised this issue at the November Arctic Council meetings in Reykjavik, Iceland. We are prepared to have the IPY as one of our main conference themes.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Fisheries and Oceans, Central and Arctic, Oceans Programs will lead and deliver CZC 2006 in July in Tuktoyaktuk, NWT. Steve Newton (Integrated Management Planner, CZC VP) from the regional office will be the lead, devoting 0.6 of his time towards this initiative. The region will also provide the Area office in Inuvik with resources for a 0.5 casual, beginning in April, 2005 for local support and expertise. A multi-party approach will be required in planning and delivering this Conference. In the Arctic, costs and capacity are common issues for all, hence the importance of working with others. Active involvement of Inuvialuit communities and organizations, other government departments, industry, universities and non-governmental organizations is a goal. To date, through informal discussions we have received favorable responses from: CAPP, CZC, DFO-HQ, EC, INAC, ITK, NOAA, NRCAN, PC, Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, and WWF.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education, Outreach and communication is a core deliverable for this proposal. For example: Website will be developed shortly containing background info, registration and important dates. Youth forum will be a major component of the conference, involving youth from around the circumpolar Arctic. Arctic communities will be actively involved. CZC’06 outcomes and achievements will be vetted through national and international bodies.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be managed primarily by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Polar Commission.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding: This conference will be a major undertaking. An early estimate of the total costs is $250,000. Anticipated sources of funding are: Conference Registration (100K), DFO-HQ (50K), NOAA (30K), IUCN (10K), CAPP (10K), EC (10K), INAC (10K), NRCAN (10K), ITK (5K).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Steve Newton
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
501 University Crescent
R3T 2N6
Canada

Tel: 204-984-5561
Mobile: no
Fax: 204-984-2403
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation